Policy and Commitment
In its long-term vision, SHIMZ VISION 2030, Shimizu sets forth the realization of a sustainable society that takes into account the global environment. Based on the Basic Position Statement and Guidelines on Conduct of the Basic Environmental Policy, originally established in 1997 and revised in 2019, we formulated our Group environmental vision, SHIMZ Beyond Zero 2050. Under this vision, Shimizu works to reduce CO2 emissions, raw material use, water use, and energy consumption; to suppress waste generation and promote resource efficiency and material circulation; to conserve biodiversity and protect nature; and to prevent environmental pollution.
Basic Environmental Policy
Shimizu established our Basic Environmental Policy in April 1997 and has promoted environmental management across company-wide. The policy was subsequently revised in April 2003, April 2004, April 2006, and May 2019, and remains in effect today.
SHIMZ Beyond Zero 2050
The Shimizu Group has formulated our environmental vision under the title of SHIMZ Beyond Zero 2050. We have defined the sustainable society we are aiming for in that vision as a zero-carbon society, a material circulation society and symbiotic society. We have stated that we are aiming to proactively provide positive environmental value to our customers and society in addition to eliminating the negative impact from our activities by 2050 (Beyond Zero).
Management System
Management
In October 2025, Shimizu established a roadmap toward achieving our group environmental vision, SHIMZ Beyond Zero 2050. To realize this vision, we have set environmental KPIs through 2050, including interim targets for 2030 and 2040, across three key areas: decarbonization, material circulation, and coexistence with nature. We are advancing a range of measures to achieve these targets.
Decarbonization
Approach Policy
- The Shimizu Group has established a greenhouse gas emission reduction target aligned with the 1.5°C level in pursuit of 2050 carbon neutrality.
- Based on this target, we will work to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions generated during the construction and operation of our own facilities, and will also actively pursue reductions in Scope 3 emissions, including those from material manufacturing and building operations, across the supply chain.
- In addition, through the development of new decarbonization technologies, expansion of green energy businesses, and construction of renewable energy facilities, we aim to lead the transition to a decarbonized society.。
Road Map
Material Circulation
Approach Policy
- The Shimizu Group has worked toward achieving zero final disposal of construction by-products by actively promoting 4R activities (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), and has achieved steady results.
- Going forward, in addition to the traditional 4R approach, we aim to contribute to a circular economy that maximizes value by effectively using existing stock while reducing material inputs and consumption.
- By promoting material circulation across all our activities, we will also contribute to decarbonization and to coexistence with nature.
Road Map
Coexistence with Nature
Approach Policy
- The construction industry often draws attention for its impact on the natural environment, including land alteration and tree removal.
- Taking into account the international goal of achieving nature positive by 2030 (Only in Japanese), the Shimizu Group will first reverse biodiversity loss associated with its own offices and owned facilities by 2030. We also aim to eliminate negative impacts on ecosystems from all business activities by 2050.
- In addition, through the introduction of green infrastructure (Only in Japanese), we will create landscapes that harness the multifunctionality of greenery and help address challenges faced by local communities. Through the conservation of natural capital, we seek to pass on to future generations a rich environment that enhances regional biodiversity.
Road Map
System
In SHIMZ VISION 2030 and the Mid-Term Business Plan ＜2024-2026＞, the Shimizu Group positions environmental issues, including climate change, as a key factor that significantly affects management.
Basic policies and measures related to environmental issues are deliberated by the Sustainability Committee (Chair: President). The Committee is composed of the officer responsible for sustainability as Vice Chair, the officer responsible for safety and environment, and officers responsible for each business division. It deliberates on the identification and evaluation of climate-related risks and opportunities and monitors progress toward CO2 emission reduction targets. The results of these deliberations are reported to the Board of Directors, which exercises oversight. In addition, the Environmental Strategy Office, which reports directly to the President, oversees initiatives aimed at achieving the Shimizu Group environmental vision, SHIMZ Beyond Zero 2050.
Key decisions regarding environmental issues are communicated to business divisions, including branches, and group companies through the Environmental Management Meeting and the Group Company Environmental Management Meeting. Through this structure, the Shimizu Group has established an environmental governance system that also encompasses major suppliers.
Governance system for climate change-related issues of the Shimizu Group
Targets and Performance
For environmental targets and results, please refer to Materiality issues and environmental performance data. For targets related to decarbonization, material circulation, coexistence with nature (biodiversity), environmental pollution prevention and water resources, and forest resources, please refer to the Targets and results section on each respective page.
Initiatives
ISO 14001 Certification
The Engineering Headquarters obtained ISO 14001 certification in 1998, and in March 1999, all other divisions and branches, excluding overseas bases, were also certified.
As of January 2025, approximately 92% of our officers and employees are covered by the scope of certification.
List of Offices that Acquired ISO 14001 Certification
| ISO 14001 Certification of the acquired business sites | Percentage of business establishments that have obtained certification |
|---|---|
Domestic
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92％ |
Overseas
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Eco-First Certification
In 2018, we obtained certification under the Eco-First System, through which companies pledge their environmental conservation initiatives to the Minister of the Environment. Our Eco-First Commitment is centered on fiscal 2030 targets for global warming countermeasures, the effective use of resources, and biodiversity initiatives.
As an Eco-First-certified company, we serve as a steering member of the Eco-First Promotion Council and engage in proactive activities.
Memberships and Collaborations
Japan Business Federation (Keidanren)
The Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) addresses a wide range of domestic and international issues facing the business community by consolidating the views of its member organizations and working toward steady and prompt implementation. Shimizu supports Keidanren’s positions and makes proposals as appropriate.
Climate Change
We work closely with the Japanese government on climate change issues and engage in various activities to support companies seeking to contribute to the Paris Agreement. The Executive Vice President and Representative Director responsible for environmental management serves on the Committee on Environment and Safety, one of Keidanren’s committees focused on climate change. This committee establishes guidelines for action on climate change and promotes their dissemination among Japanese companies. We also collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to provide companies with relevant resources and information.
Conservation of Biodiversity
The Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation is an organization composed of Keidanren member companies that conducts a range of activities related to nature conservation. It was established in 1992, the year of the Rio Earth Summit (United Nations Conference on Environment and Development), together with the Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund, to put into practice the principles of the Keidanren Global Environment Charter in the field of nature conservation. Since then, it has supported NGO-led nature conservation projects through the Fund, fostered collaboration with NGOs, provided awareness and information to companies, and made proposals on international biodiversity targets and domestic policies. Shimizu participates as a standing committee member company, and one of our officers serves as Vice Chair.
Keidanren Nature Conservation Council
Japan Federation of Construction Contractors (Nikkenren)
Shimizu supports the positions of the Japan Federation of Construction Contractors, the industry association representing the construction sector, and makes proposals as appropriate. We participate in committees and subcommittees related to climate change and work with other companies to plan and implement industry-wide measures. Our employees serve on the Environmental Management Subcommittee, the Global Warming Countermeasures Subcommittee, the Biodiversity Subcommittee, and the Construction By-products Subcommittee within the Environment Committee.
Japan Federation of Construction Contractors (Only in Japanese)
Global Compact Network Japan（GCNJ）
We participate in the subcommittees listed below, including the Environmental Management Subcommittee, the ESG Subcommittee, and the Circular Economy Subcommittee. Through active exchanges of views with participating companies, we incorporate insights gained into our own initiatives.
| Subcommittee | Description |
|---|---|
| Supply chain | Promotion of CSR procurement and development of materials and outputs that support CSR procurement |
| Environmental management | Sharing the latest information on environmental management, as well as challenges and practical approaches for advancing environmental management |
| SDGs | Studying the latest developments related to the SDGs and promoting accelerated engagement by Japanese companies |
| ESG | Enhancing overall understanding of ESG investment, monitoring trends in ESG disclosure, and examining best practices |
| Circular economy | Organizing perspectives and tracking trends in the circular economy, conducting case studies, and fostering networking |
Other Initiatives and Organizations in which We Participate
Participation in Initiatives
| Category | Organization | Description of activities | Logo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change, decarbonaization | Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Consortium | We consider the impact of climate change on our business as an important management issue and believe it is essential to disclose relevant information from the perspective of ESG management. In addition to declaring our support for the TCFD recommendations, we participate in the TCFD Consortium to disclose climate-related information in accordance with the recommendations. |
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| Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) | As part of our efforts to realize a zero-carbon society, we have established medium- and long-term reduction targets based on SBT※, using total CO2 emissions as an indicator to assess and manage the impact of climate-related issues on our business. Shimizu Group Medium- to Long-term Targets for Reduction Based on SBT |
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| GX League（GX: green transformation） | The GX League is a forum where companies actively engaged in green transformation (GX), together with government, academia, and financial institutions, engage in discussions for the transformation of the economy, society, and the entire system, as well as the implementation of GX for the creation of new markets. For our part, we aim to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality by 2050 by participating in the GX League and collaborating with participating companies and organizations. |  |
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| Biodiversity | Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) Forum | The TNFD is an initiative that aims to restore biodiversity by creating a framework to encourage companies to disclose information on risks and opportunities related to nature and biodiversity and reversing flows of funds that cause loss of natural capital. In addition to endorsing this philosophy, we will promote the appropriate disclosure of information on natural capital by participating in the TNFD Forum, a stakeholder organization that supports the development of an information disclosure framework. Shimizu Group’s nature-related disclosures based on the TNFD Recommendations |
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| Environmental conservation | Ministry of the Environment (Eco-First Program) | A program in which companies predge to the Minister of the Environment that they will take measures to protect the environment, such as combating global warming and reducing waste/recycling, and the Minister of the Environment certifies those companies as being engaged in "leading and unique activities that have a ripple effect" in the environmental field (environmentally advanced companies in their industry). |  |
| Climate change/Decarbonization | Consortium for Promoting the Use of Electric Vehicles | Established in 2020, this consortium aims to address challenges related to the adoption of electric vehicles and contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society. Shimizu supports its objectives and became a member in March 2021, the earliest among construction companies. We promote the adoption of electric vehicles not only through the use of our own company vehicles but also by providing EV charging infrastructure in buildings delivered to clients. | |
| Resource circulation | Resource circulation | Based on the Growth-Oriented Resource Autonomous Economy Strategy formulated by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in March 2023, Shimizu participates in Circular Partners (CPs), a partnership established by the Ministry to promote collaboration among industry, government, and academia. From the outset, we have participated in the Construction Domain Working Group and the CE Information Distribution Platform Construction Working Group. Within these groups, we engage in ongoing discussions with general contractors and supply chain companies that are also members. |
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| Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE) | Shimizu also participates in the Japan Partnership for Circular Economy (J4CE), established under the leadership of the Ministry of the Environment to strengthen public-private collaboration, deepen understanding of the circular economy, and promote related initiatives among a broad range of stakeholders, including domestic companies. Through this framework, we disclose our initiatives and promote information sharing with participating companies. |
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| Water | Water Cycle Company Registration/Certification Program | The Water Cycle Company Registration/Certification Program, operated by the Secretariat of the Headquarters for Water Cycle Policy, Cabinet Secretariat, promotes corporate initiatives that contribute to the water cycle by actively registering and certifying companies interested or engaged in such efforts. In October 2025, Shimizu was certified as a Water Cycle ACTIVE Company in recognition of its proactive initiatives supporting the water cycle. |
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SBT：Science Based Targets
Science-based greenhouse gas emission reduction targets established to limit the increase in global average temperature to below 2°C (and preferably to 1.5°C)
Organizations that Agree with the Purpose of the Activity and Participate in it
| Category | Organization | Activity philosophy | Logo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change, decarbonization | JCLP | Recognizing that the industrial sector should have a strong sense of urgency with respect to realizing a sustainable zero-carbon society and be proactive, this unique Japanese corporate group was launched in 2009. By taking the lead in the transition to a zero-carbon society, we aim to become a company that is sought after by society. We participate in COP reporting sessions and other events hosted by JCLP. |  |
| CARBON RECYCLE FUND INSTITUTE | We aim to simultaneously address the issues of global warming and improving energy access by promoting research grants and public relations activities focused on capturing CO2 as a resource and promoting recycling, thereby creating innovation. In collaboration with CRF, we participate in several exhibitions, international conferences, and other events. |  |
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| Water | JWF | JWF serves as a hub for exchange and collaboration among domestic and international water stakeholders. It collaborates with a diverse range of stakeholders, including United Nations agencies, international organizations, development banks, governments and local authorities of various countries, private companies, researchers, and NGOs. Based on this network, the organization works to create opportunities to take action on solving water issues around the world, including Japan. It seeks to ensure that all people on earth can fully enjoy the benefits and value of water. |
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| Kumamoto Rain garden Partnership | The Kumamoto Rain garden Partnership is an organization established to voluntarily promote the development and dissemination of rain gardens. It was founded in May 2023 to develop 2,030 rain gardens within Kumamoto Prefecture by 2030. |  |
Shimizu’s Position on Public Policy and Regulation
Shimizu supports the government’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and has established our own targets aligned with that objective. We also support the Energy Conservation Act and the Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures, both of which relate to climate change. We cooperate with policymakers as appropriate, including by annually reporting our energy consumption, progress toward energy reduction targets, and greenhouse gas emissions.
In addition, we voluntarily participate in GX League Phase 1, led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which includes the Emissions Trading System (GX-ETS) under the GX Promotion Act as part of our activities.
